Mechanical control of physical properties in the van der Waals ferromagnet Cr2Ge2Te6 via application of electric current
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Contributors
Abstract
Cr2Ge2Te6 is a van der Waals ferromagnet with a Curie temperature at 66 K. Here we report a swift change in the magnetic ground state upon application of small DC electric current; a giant yet anisotropic magnetoelectric effect; and a sharp, lattice-driven quantum switching manifested in the I-V characteristic of the bulk single-crystal Cr2Ge2Te6. At the heart of these observed phenomena is a strongly anisotropic magnetoelastic coupling that enables strongly anisotropic responses of the lattice to application of electric current and/or magnetic field, which explains the exotic phenomena in Cr2Ge2Te6. Such a rare mechanical tunability in the magnetic semiconductors promises tantalizing prospects for unique functional materials and devices.
Details
Original language | English |
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Article number | L041103 |
Journal | Physical Review B |
Volume | 106 |
Issue number | 4 |
Publication status | Published - 15 Jul 2022 |
Peer-reviewed | Yes |